To Darkness Fled (37 page)

Achan nodded. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on his capes. He shivered and crawled under the heavy furs. It would take a bit for the bed to warm.

Sir Caleb carried the luminary out the door and the leather curtain flopped back into place.

The dark room trembled. A bed in a tree was a sensation that would take time to get used to. He stared at the outline of light around the edges of the curtain. His eyes fell closed, and he forced them back open. He sensed excitement and fear that refused to let him sleep. Were people still celebrating?

He wished Sparrow were here. Achan hated having his own chambers.

Soft steps padded across wood. He tensed. Could animals get into these huts? The sound crept toward his pallet. He slipped backwards out of bed, onto the cold floor, heart racing, hand grasping for his sword. Where had he left it? A shadow darted past the light at the door, past the foot of his bed.

Achan sprang, quickly finding the intruder's neck with his hands. As Achan hit the floor, a girl's scream urged him to let go. He rose to his knees. The intruder ran away, room shaking.

The curtain whipped aside. Yellow light blinded Achan. He raised an arm up to block the luminary's glare.

Sir Caleb knelt beside him. "Did you fall? Are you hurt?"

"I, uh...had a guest." Achan nodded toward his pallet. The lump of fur blankets shifted.

Shung, short sword clutched in hand, approached the bed. "Who is there? Come out now." He pulled back the furs.

A small gasp and Yumikak's frizzy head poked out from the top of the furs.

"Blazes, Yumikak!" Achan said. "What were you thinking? I could've hurt you."

"I came to sing you to sleep, I did," she said in a meek voice.

Shung growled, his hairy eyebrows becoming one. "Did your father send you?"

Yumikak's eyes went wide. "Oh, no, Master
Noatak
. It was my idea, it was. Please do not tell my father."

"You shame us." Shung faced Achan and stomped one foot, shaking the hut. "Shung will take intruder to her father and return shortly."

Yumikak's head hung so low her chin touched her tunic. Shung steered her out the door by the scruff of her neck. The hut trembled. Sir Caleb helped Achan up. He climbed back into bed, hoping Yumikak wouldn't be in trouble for her actions. But why would she sneak into his room to sing to him?

"I see that in the future, it will be necessary to sweep your chambers before allowing you to bed," Sir Caleb said.

Achan rolled onto his side. "She wasn't trying to kill me."

"No, but had she been, she might have succeeded. It would also be wise to review the customs of each village before we arrive. It has been almost twenty years since I last visited Berland. I had forgotten."

"That women sing men to sleep? Or is that a special custom for visitors?"

Sir Caleb chuckled. "It's a special custom for a betrothed couple. It appears you have survived your second offer of marriage, Your Highness."

* * *

"Be moving over, boy!" Inko's bony elbow jammed into Vrell's side.

She gasped and fought the urge to elbow him back. "Where? To the floor?"

Inko did not answer, so Vrell rolled on her side and curled into a ball. How ridiculous! She couldn't believe Sir Gavin hadn't helped her make other arrangements when they were given this privy of a room. Granted, they were in a treetop. How big could the rooms be? But surely Achan had been given his own bed. Vrell would rather sleep on Achan's floor than cram into a bed with an old, crotchety--

You will tell me where they are.

Vrell gasped at the sound of Esek's voice in her mind. Sensing a connection with her mother, she closed her eyes and focused.

Mother stood behind the jade desk in her study. The sun streamed through the window and lit the colorful wall murals and niches. Beautiful sun.

Esek and Sir Kenton stood on the redwood floor before Mother's desk.

I do not know where she is,
Mother said.

You are both gifted,
Esek said.
You must communicate.

When my daughter calls to me, we talk, but she has not done so in several days.

When did you last speak?

A week past.

And where was she?

Approaching Melas.

Esek's posture swelled.
I know they are coming here. He means to marry her and take my throne.

Mother walked around her desk.
My daughter is engaged to Master Bran Rennan. I have told you this numerous times.

Lady Averella is engaged to me. I shall have her with or without your permission.

Mother laughed.
I think not, young man.

Sir Kenton slapped her.
Do not disrespect your king.

Mother set her jaw and straightened before Sir Kenton, who towered over Mother's petite form.
This man is no one's king. He bought his Council votes. Lord Nathak sat as my proxy because he killed my manservant and forged my name. The true Council will never crown this impostor.

The true Council, as you know it, is no more
, Esek said.

Mother frowned and studied Esek's haughty face.
What do you mean?

The Council has elected members to replace those charged with treason. Your membership on the Council has been revoked. You still rule Carm--until I wed your daughter and take it legally.
Esek stepped up to the arched window overlooking the northern fields.
But since you refuse to aid your king, I will burn your vineyards.

Mother's heart rate spiked.
That is madness! You want control of Carm because it is vast and powerful. Without its vineyards it is nothing.

Then at least it will not stand in my way.
Esek started for the door then paused.
If you give me Wren, I shall spare your eastern vineyard.

Mother blinked.
Who is Wren?

Esek spun around.
The stray's lover, fool woman! Give her to me and your eastern vineyard will go unburned.

I have never met a woman named Wren.

Do not twist the truth, Duchess. I know she is here with Sir Rigil and that traitor giant. You have one hour to save your biggest crop. Send word to me before--
Esek wheezed, his face purpling.

Your Highness? Are you well? Sir Kenton asked.

Esek fell to his knees, gripping his throat, eyes bulging.
Release...my...

Sir Kenton crouched at Esek's side. With The Shield's back turned, Mother darted behind the changing screen to the left of her desk. Anillo beckoned Mother with an outstretched hand from the open secret doorway built into one of the niches. Vrell gasped, shocked to see Anillo alive after Mother had accused Lord Nathak of having killed him. As Mother slipped past, Vrell noticed a hideous fresh scar across Anillo's neck.

Never mind me, fool!
Esek rasped.
Where did--

Anillo shut the secret door on Esek's question. He and Mother swept soundlessly along the dark, cool passage, lit by the occasional arrow loop, and up the spiral staircase. Not until they had climbed five levels and exited into the gazebo-like top of the Ryson tower did Mother speak.

Are the troops ready, Anillo?

They are, my lady.

Attack, and show no mercy.

Yes, my lady.
Anillo bowed and retreated down the stairs.

Mother leaned against the stone ledge.
You will relay all this to Sir Gavin, Averella?

Yes, Mother.

Good. Now I am weak from having given you my strength and must rest. Be safe, my love.

Mother withdrew. Cold gripped Vrell's pores. The room spun. She slid off the edge of the bed onto the cold floor and faded into darkness.

23

Achan's jaw ached from relentless shivering. His cheeks and nose were numb. His shoulder snapped back a stiff branch, causing snow to dump over his head. Icy flakes fell through the neck of his fur cape and slid down his back. He squirmed so they'd melt faster and pulled the hood over his head.

They'd spent one night in Berland. Achan wanted to stay longer, but Sir Gavin received word from the Duchess of Carm that Esek had ridden north after a threatening visit. Sir Gavin wanted to get to Tsaftown as soon as possible. Achan doubted they stood a chance of beating Esek as slow as their horses moved through the snowy mountain pass.

Camping proved miserable. Sleeping on frozen ground, even with the furs and blankets
Koyukuk
had given them, was terribly uncomfortable. To keep their minds focused, Sir Caleb lectured on the reign of King Bole II.

But Achan couldn't keep his mind from spinning. Lady Tara. Yumikak's song. The gift of Shung's service.
Riga
's death. Gren's growing affection for Bran. Silvo pushing him off the platform in Barth. Jaira's spicy smell. His aching backside. Lady Tara.

His thoughts always circled back to Lady Tara. She alone had shown interest in Achan when he was nothing more than a stray squire. Surely the people of Er'Rets would accept a woman as beautiful and agreeable as she? He couldn't help but pray Arman would allow--

Achan's horse stopped and neighed. Achan nudged his flanks. "Come on, Scout. Got to keep moving or we'll freeze."

"Why did you stop?" Sparrow asked from behind.

Sir Gavin voice came from the front of the line. "The trail is blocked. Avalanche."

Achan's chest tightened. This would surely delay their arrival in Tsaftown.

"Can we go around?" Sir Caleb asked.

"Nay. I'm afraid we'll have to take an alternate route."

"Meribah?" Sir Caleb asked.

"Aye." Sir Gavin sniffed in a long breath. "Arman knows I'd rather not trespass upon Lord Gershom's...hospitality, yet it's the quickest route. Hopefully we'll find the man in good spirits."

"Being in his right mind, you're meaning?" Inko said.

"Is he ill?" Achan asked.

"He's suffered more than his share of misfortune," Sir Caleb said.

"He's being four times a widower, Your Highness," Inko said, "but having been blessed with no heirs, male or female, last I was hearing, he's seeking a fifth bride."

"At his age?" Sparrow said.

"The man has not yet reached his seventieth year, Vrell," Sir Gavin said. "Marriage is uncommon at such an age but not unheard of."

Sparrow gasped. "Oh, Sir Gavin, do not take offense. I did not mean to suggest
you
could not marry. I only meant--"

Sir Gavin chuckled long and hard, and Inko and Sir Caleb joined him.

When the men's laughter finally dwindled, Sir Gavin said, "I made my choice long ago, Vrell. I pledged my life to Arman and the throne. I'm his servant. I seek no other love in my life."

Nice one, Sparrow,
Achan said.
Insulting my Kingsguard commander... I wouldn't have expected such from you. You're normally so polite and well-mannered.

Achan's connection with Sparrow vanished. The little fox had pushed him out. He chuckled and let his laugh carry on longer than necessary. "Okay, Sparrow, I can take a hint."

* * *

The long and windy road to Meribah Corner added two nights to the journey. The wind seemed made of needles, piercing through to Vrell's bones. She could no longer feel her toes, fingers, nose, or ears. She prayed they were not black with frostbite. When she first caught sight of the lights of the stronghold, she thought she was seeing things.

Sir Gavin cleared the matter. "Meribah Corner, yonder."